Buffalo Ornithological Society
Birding Western New York and the Niagara Peninsula of Ontario

Horned Grebe - © Sue Barth

Tom Kerr hits a home run with this Grasshopper Sparrow on the first at Buckhorn Island SP. This species is rarely detected during migration and this is a first record for the park!
Contributed by: Alec Humann

Another view of the Buckhorn SP Grasshopper Sparrow by Kerr on the 1st. It was feeding in the lawn by the Woods Creek parking lot. Fantastic find for a species rarely encountered during migration.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

On May 5, the team of N. Johnson, S. Seidman and J. Ketry found this smashing male Prairie Warbler at Times Beach. The bird entertained many observers throughout the day. Photo by Shelley Seidman.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

Jerry Anderson captured this alluring image of the May 5 Prairie Warbler found at Times Beach. Although this species breeds in WNY, it is not often seen during migration.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

On May 6th, Gale VerHague photographed this pair of Sanderlings at Eagle Bay in Chautaqua County.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

Betsy Potter was lucky to grab this image of a male Golden-winged Warbler on the 6th at Wilson-Tuscarora SP. This declining species passes through in a very narrow window in early May.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

The Bertola brothers kicked the day into high gear when they reported this male Summer Tanager at Birdsong Parklands in Orchard Park on the 6th. Many people were able to see this bird during the remainder of the day! Great job guys! Photo by Sue Barth.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

Another view of the Bertola's Summer Tanager on the 6th in Orchard Park. This is a 2nd year male told by the mottled red and greenish plumage. Photo by Sue Barth.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

Josh Ketry relocated the Golden-winged Warbler found earlier in the day on the 6th by Betsy Potter and Willie D'anna at Wilson Tuscarora SP. Another of this species was found at Tifft on the same day by Rick Thomas.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

On the morning of the 7th, Kevin Rybczynski heard and located this White-eyed Vireo at Tifft NP. The bird continued singing and delighting birders all day! Photo by Sue Barth.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

Another gem found on the 7th was this male Cerulean Warbler by Fawn Hoelcle at Prospect Lawn Cemetery in Hamburg. This species is not often seen during migration.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

Shelley Seidman strikes again with this Orange-crowned Warbler along Forest Lawn Cemetery's famed Warbler Ridge on the 7th.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

TJ Mudd captured this image of the Tifft NP White-eyed Vireo on the 7th.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

Found by Gale VerHague on the 6th, Alex Shipherd photographed this Sanderling on the 7th at Dunkirk Harbor along the Main Street beach. There were still two present.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

David Crowe found these Least Sandpipers on the 8th at Island Park, Wellsville, Allegany County.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

Because Shelley Sedman birds Erie Basin Marina almost daily, she turns up an annual list that would be impressive anywhere in the US! This time she lofted a fabulous Red-throated Loon molting into alternate plumage on the 10th.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

Matt Nusstein found this Long-tailed Duck on the 11th at Evangola SP...Matt's stomping grounds. This species isn't often seen in May.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

TJ Mudd captured this image of Shelley's Red-throated Loon that continued into the 11th. Many people enjoyed this bird during its stay at Erie Basin Marina.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

On the 11th, this Yellow-throated Warbler was found by Kevin Rybczynski at Forest Lawn Cemetery. This bird frequented the cherry trees surrounding Mirror Lake as well as the Magic Tree. Interestingly enough, this species has been found at this location in 2012, 2014, 2016 and now, 2018.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

On the 11th, Rachel Wilson and Joel Strong found this Willet in a farm field pond in Niagara County. The pond is at the intersection of Lower Lake and Burgess Rds just west of Golden Hill SP.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

Another view of the Forest Lawn Yellow-throated Warbler (albilora) found by Kevin Rybczynski. Photo by Sue Barth.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

Seidman's Red-throated Loon continues around Erie Basin Marine through the 14th when this beautiful imaged was captured by Kyle Brock. This plumage is a real treat for us to enjoy!
Contributed by: Alec Humann

This Wilson's Phalarope was documented by Joel Strong in a farm field puddle at Lower Lake and Burgess Roads, Niagara County on the 15th.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

Least Bittern. Tifft. James Johnston. Bam!
Contributed by: Alec Humann

An Olive-sided Flycatcher seen at Chestnut Ridge Park on the 16th.
Contributed by: Sue Barth

Another view of Olive-sided Flycatcher seen at Chestnut Ridge Park - this time with an insect it just caught.
Contributed by: Sue Barth

A group of 9 Short-billed Dowitchers dropped into a pond in East Concord on the 15th.
Contributed by: Sue Barth

This male Mourning Warbler was singing his heart out and was an easy find down in southern Erie County on the 15th.
Contributed by: Sue Barth

Taken on the 18th, this Common Nighthawk has been seen hawking insects over the ponds at Birdsong Parklands in Orchard Park for several days now.
Contributed by: Sue Barth

A beautiful male Cerulean Warbler was singing his 'zee zee zee zizizi zeeet' song, making him easy to find on the 21st.
Contributed by: Sue Barth

This beautiful Dunlin was found and photographed by Josh Ketry and Batavia WWTP on the 20th.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

Shelley Seidman took this amazing photo of Erie Basin Marina's long-staying Red-throated Loon on the 18th. This bird occasionally came ashore to rest on the small sand beach.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

On the 22nd, rain and fog produced a fallout of shorebirds locally. Ryan Griffiths was fortunate enough to have time to check Lakeside Park in St. Catharines, Ont. Here is one of the two flocks of Whimbrel he saw.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

Also on the 22nd, Ryan Griffiths had over 1000 Dunlin in the fallout conditions along Lake Ontario at St. Catharines, Ont.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

Griffiths also recorded 50 Red Knots on the 22nd at St. Catharines, Ontario. This species isn't often observed in spring in our region so it was a treat for Ryan to see these beautiful shorebirds which are in the company of Ruddy Turnstones and Dunlin in this image.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

Another Short-billed Dowitcher visited Erie County at the Buffalo Outer Harbor. This guy was probably put down because of heavy fog on the 22nd.
Contributed by: Sue Barth

This Yellow-billed Cuckoo was very confiding on the 25th. It's not too often you see them sitting right out in the open!
Contributed by: Sue Barth

Celeste Morien took this photo of a Prothonotary Warbler on the 31st at Iroquois NWR. This is the only reliable location for this species in WNY and a nest box program is in place.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

Black-billed Cuckoo. 5/22/2018 Wag Trail in Willing NY
Contributed by: David Crowe

Great-crested Flycatcher 5/19/2018 Hanging Bog WMA near Cuba NY
Contributed by: David Crowe

Canada Warbler 5/13/2018 Hanging Bog WMA near Cuba NY
Contributed by: David Crowe

Wilson's Warbler 5/22/2018 Hanging Bog WMA
Contributed by: David Crowe

Joshua Vandermuelen found this BOS region first record at the east pier at Port Weller, St Catharines, Ontario on the 10th - Bell's Vireo!
Contributed by: Alec Humann

In Whitesville, NY, Allegany County, Ken Reichman discovered this Harris's Sparrow at his feeders in late April. It stayed for about a week and this photo was taken by Ken on the 3rd.
Contributed by: Alec Humann

Philip Downey discovered this Cattle Egret at the Avondale Sewage Lagoons on the 9th. The bird stayed into the following day. Photo by Ryan Griffith on the 9th.
Contributed by: Alec Humann